Vice Adm. Fred M. Midgette, commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, presided over the ceremony accepting the first of three 154-foot fast response cutters to be stationed in Hawaii.

Crewmembers man the rails aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry (WPC 1124) as aircrews from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point conduct a fly-over in two MH-65 Dolphin helicopters during a commissioning ceremony at Coast Guard Base Honolulu, Oct. 31, 2017. The Oliver Berry is the first of the three Honolulu-based Fast Response Cutters that will primarily serve the main Hawaiian Islands. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tara Molle/Released)

The cutter’s sponsor Susan Hansen, who is a distant cousin of Oliver Berry was also in attendance for the ceremony.

“It’s a great opportunity to honor Chief Petty Officer Oliver Berry’s legacy by commissioning this new cutter and engaging in the wide variety of Coast Guard missions of search and rescue, fisheries law enforcement, marine safety and security, among many others conducted in and around the Hawaiian Islands,” said Lt. Ken Franklin, commanding officer of Oliver Berry. “I am constantly impressed as I learn more about Oliver Berry through this commissioning process such as his resourcefulness and leadership in developing the specialty of aviation maintenance. The cutter helps cement the strong bond between our aviation and afloat communities and it’s a privilege to be a part of her plankowner crew and carry Oliver Berry’s legacy forward into the 21st century.”

The Oliver Berry is the first of three Honolulu-based FRCs that will primarily serve the main Hawaiian Islands.

The cutter is named after Chief Petty Officer Oliver Fuller Berry, a South Carolina native and graduate of the Citadel. He was a highly skilled helicopter mechanic working on early Coast Guard aircraft. Berry was also one of the world’s first experts on the maintenance of helicopters and served as lead instructor at the first military helicopter training unit, the Rotary Wing Development Unit which was established at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, in 1946. He also helped develop the helicopter rescue hoist.

Berry had an extensive career spanning much of the globe. He was involved in a helicopter rescue out of Newfoundland that earned him a commendation and the Belgian Silver Medal of the Order of Leopold II. In this case, Berry was able to quickly disassemble a helicopter in Brooklyn, New York, which was then flown to Gander, Newfoundland, in a cargo plane where he then reassembled it in time for the rescue crew to find and save 18 survivors of a crash aboard a Belgian Sabena DC-4 commercial airliner.

The Coast Guard is acquiring 58 FRCs to replace the 110-foot Island-class patrol boats. The FRCs are designed for missions including search and rescue; fisheries enforcement; drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; and national defense. The Coast Guard took delivery of Oliver Berry June 27 in Key West. The crew then transited more than 8,400 miles (7,300 nautical miles) to Hawaii.

A crewmember aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry (WPC 1124) raises the cutter’s commissioning pennant during a commissioning ceremony at Coast Guard Base Honolulu, Oct. 31, 2017. The Oliver Berry is the first of the three Honolulu-based Fast Response Cutters that will primarily serve the main Hawaiian Islands. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tara Molle/Released)

The cutters are designed to patrol coastal regions and feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, including the ability to launch and recover standardized small boats from the stern.

There will be three fast response cutters stationed here at Base Honolulu by the spring of 2019. These cutters with their improved effectiveness in search and rescue will make the waters around the main Hawaiian Islands a much safer place for recreational boaters and users of the waterway. They greatly improve our on water presence with each providing over 7,500 operational hours, a 40 percent increase over the 110-foot patrol boats.

Like:

The state’s monthly test of the statewide outdoor warning siren system, coordinated with the test of the live audio broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, at 11:45 a.m.

The siren test is a steady one-minute tone on all sirens. The warning sirens are used to alert the public to any emergency that may pose a threat to life or property. The sound of the sirens is a cue for residents to turn on a radio or television for information and instruction for an impending emergency. Besides natural hazards, the Emergency Alert System could be used for terrorist incidents or acts of war.

Tests of the outdoor warning sirens and the Emergency Alert System are conducted simultaneously, normally on the first working day of the month, in cooperation with Hawai‘i’s broadcast industry. Emergency management and disaster preparedness information is located in the front section of telephone directories in all counties.

Like:

The County of Hawai‘i Dept. of Water Supply has announced that as of mid-October, Honokōhau deep well has been repaired and is currently operational.

However, DWS officials say Hualālai and Keahuolū deep wells went offline the first and second weeks of October, respectively.

At this time, DWS says four of thirteen wells are out of service in the North Kona area leaving the DWS’s 25% Water Restriction in effect.

Kona water tank levels have been and continue to remain stable. The DWS is constantly monitoring the water system and making adjustments as necessary.

The DWS appreciates the community’s efforts to reduce their water usage. For more information visit www.hawaiidws.org, or call (808) 961-8060 during normal business hours or email dws@hawaiidws.org. For after hour emergencies, call (808) 961-8790.

Like:

Attorney General Doug Chin announced that Laara Allbrett was charged yesterday by way of felony information with four counts of Theft in the Second Degree, a class C felony punishable by up to five years jail and/or a $10,000 fine.

Allbrett, 64, is the former principal of the Halau Lokahi public charter school, a Native Hawaiian-focused charter school whose recurring financial difficulties led to the revocation of its charter by the State Public Charter School Commission on March 30, 2015.

The felony information alleges that Allbrett committed theft by deception during her tenure as the principal of Halau Lokahi. A felony information is merely an allegation of criminal wrongdoing against Allbrett, and she is presumed innocent until found guilty of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt by a judge or jury.

For two-weeks the Barnstorming Team traveled across Hawaiʻi island teaching sixth-graders from Hilo, Pāhoa and Pāhala the science behind aviation.

“Barnstorming” refers to a style of stunt piloting that was performed in the 1920s to showcase pilots’ skills and the sturdiness of the planes they flew.

The Barnstorming Tour was developed in 2008 by museum staff with educators and science advisors from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Since its inception, the program has reached over 26,000 sixth graders in their classrooms on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and now Hawaiʻi Island.

The 90-minute curriculum uses hands-on activities that incorporate all elements of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to help students understand the scientific principles of flight, as well as introduce them to aviation and aeronautic engineering as a viable career.

“It was an amazing education experience for the students and I cannot say enough good things about this program,” said Hawaiʻi Academy of Arts & Science Teacher Charlotte Romo. “As a teacher, I appreciate the level of organization and team work, it was perfectly orchestrated!”

“Students in this area never get opportunities like this,” said Pāhoa Elementary Teacher Channa Uyetake. “You guys (Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor) coming here is an educational experience we would have never dreamed of.”

Gayle Kamei, STEM Coordinator at Waiakea Intermediate said, “The fun and excitement of taking controls of a flight simulator and experiencing the miracle of flight by controlling a wing in a wind tunnel just doesn’t happen too often in a child’s life. Our sixth graders are actually learning the Laws of Physics first hand. What a unique learning experience for them.”

Costs incurred to bring the Barnstorming Tour and equipment to Hawaiʻi Island was underwritten by a $5,000 grant from Boeing.

In early October, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) granted the companies’ request to start the regulatory process to issue requests for proposals (RFP) enabling the execution of the companies’ five year action plan for more renewable generation.

Hawaiian Electric Companies has also filed with the PUC its proposed process for competitively procuring the largest amount of renewable resources ever to be developed in Hawai‘i. The filing includes drafts of proposed RFPs and new model for renewable power purchase contracts.

The companies are requesting stakeholder and market feedback on these draft documents over the next month to inform its plans and to launch an expedited RFP process in 2018.

In line with the Power Supply Improvement Plan (PSIP) for Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawai‘i Electric Light accepted by regulators in July, the companies intend to issue RFPs in two stages over the next two years for renewable resources it targeted through 2022. Those resources include:

220 megawatts (MW) of renewable generation for O‘ahu

100 MW for the island of Maui, including 40 MW of firm renewable generation

50 MW for Hawai‘i Island

The companies also intend to provide developers the option to include energy storage in their bids. The two-stage RFP process is designed to expedite execution of the first stage so that developers can take advantage of investment tax credits before they expire, lowering costs for customers.

Yesterday’s filing includes a proposed model contract between the companies and developers of renewable projects. The contracts, known as power purchase agreements (PPA), are designed to address the unique challenges of operating island grids with high concentrations of renewables.

Working with experts in the industry, the new model PPA seeks to achieve greater flexibility for utilities to dynamically and cost-effectively dispatch power from the new projects and to lower risks to developers and their financiers, resulting in lower costs to customers.

A new element of the proposed RFPs would require developers that advanced to negotiations to publicly engage with communities where their projects may be sited before a PPA is signed and again after an executed PPA is sent to regulators. This feedback will be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission as part of the contract review process. The companies are adopting this new requirement in its energy procurement process out of recognition that communities should have greater visibility into the process and have better engagement with developers.

“With the commission’s acceptance of our PSIP, we are entering a new period of renewable energy acquisition. We are now focused on creating and successfully executing a competitive process for renewable generation that will help achieve our vision for sustainable communities and result in cost competitive and reliable service to our customers,” said Shelee Kimura, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president of business development and strategic planning.

“This series of RFPs is a critical component of meeting Hawaii’s renewable energy goals and will require the coordinated efforts of many parties including developers, land owners, regulators, government entities and many stakeholders to make it a reality.”

The PSIP accepted by the commission describes key goals such as seeking nearly 400 megawatts of new renewable resources by 2021. When the PUC opened the docket for this procurement process it urged the companies to move quickly on a transparent, timely and successful procurement process to work with developers and capture federal investment tax credits before they expire. The draft RFPs and proposed PPA language are intended to meet the commission’s objectives. The companies are also proposing a series of technical conferences and consultation with stakeholders such as prospective renewable developers.

The companies’ proposed timeline calls for issuing the final RFPs in the first quarter of 2018 with selection of developers and contract negotiations expected to start in the second quarter. The draft documents, of primary interest to prospective renewable energy developers, may be reviewed at www.hawaiianelectric.com/competitivebidding.

In December 2016, the companies issued a request for information to land owners to identify land available for renewable energy projects. The results were provided to interested developers to help streamline the development process and facilitate the matching of sites and projects. This information continues to be available to interested developers at hawaiianelectric.com/landrfi.

US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and seven other US Senators introduced a bill today prohibiting President Trump from starting a preemptive war against North Korea, absent an imminent threat or without express authorization from Congress.

The bill states “Secretary of State Rex Tillerson traveled to Beijing in September 2017 to discuss calming tensions and obtaining a diplomatic solution on North Korea. President Trump tweeted during Secretary Tillerson’s visit that the Secretary of State was ‘‘wasting his time’’ and previously threatened that North Korea’s leaders ‘‘wouldn’t be around much longer.’’

The bill would prohibit funds from being used for kinetic military operations without Congressional approval unless the US faces an imminent threat or such action is necessary to defend citizens or US allies.

“Our bill makes it clear that the president does not have the authority to engage in preventive war without approval from Congress, and it goes so far as to tie the purse strings so that the president will have to ask for Congressional approval before taking any preventive action, ” said Sen. Schatz.

“I want to emphasize what this bill does not do. It does not limit the ability of the United States to protect our allies. Japan, South Korea, and every other ally of the United States should rest assured that we stand with them, and we will have their backs,” he added.

“This bill shouldn’t be controversial since it essentially restates current law,” added Sen. Murphy. “But Congress needs to make it crystal clear that the President does not have the authority to take preemptive military action in North Korea without congressional consent.”

Article I, Section 8, of the US Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war.

“A preemptive strike against North Korea could be catastrophic for the nearly 80,000 American servicemembers who are stationed in the region and for the tens of millions of innocent human beings who live on the Korean Peninsula,” said Sen. Duckworth, a combat veteran. “We need our nation’s Commander-in-Chief to show a steady hand and sound judgement, not to engage in irresponsible and dangerous verbal attacks that only serve to escalate an already dangerous situation and put American lives at risk.”

“The President’s erratic, blustering approach to North Korea has created a huge risk of stumbling into a disastrous war,” said Sen. Merkley. “A preemptive strike on North Korea would immediately be met by retaliation that could kill tens of thousands of South Koreans as well as many Americans within hours. This outcome is unacceptable. We need to make sure that Congress exercises its constitutional responsibilities to prevent profound and destructive misjudgments.”

Like:

Following the success of a program that helps landlords to get paid and keep tenants from being evicted on Oahu and in Maui County, Steps to Avoid Eviction is now available on Kauai.

The STAE program guides homeowners and tenants to resolve disputes without going to court. Its goals are to teach renters how to avoid evictions and to ensure that landlords can consistently collect rental income that is due.

Fifth Circuit District Court Judge Michael Soong

“When landlord-tenant cases enter the judicial system, it is often too late to amicably resolve their issues,” said Fifth Circuit District Court Judge Michael Soong. “We hope that by providing advance information and available resources, all parties may address their problems before someone files a lawsuit.”

The potential impact for Kauai is strong. A recent U.S. Census Bureau study indicated that 25 percent of the island’s 30,238 total housing units are occupied by renters. Furthermore, the population of 71,735 residents is growing an average of three people daily, the bureau reported.

“I want to thank the participating agencies, and attorneys Craig De Costa, Michelle Premeaux, Patrick Childs, and Linda Vass for assisting with the program and brochure,” Soong added.

“I deeply appreciate the hard work of the attorneys, agencies, and businesses in bringing this important early intervention program to the Garden Island, and thank Judge Soong for his leadership,” said Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald.

The STAE brochure is available through numerous Kauai agencies, including those listed above, and online. A copy of the brochure is attached.

Expressing extreme concern about the role “bump stocks” played in the recent Las Vegas tragedy, Attorney General Doug Chin yesterday joined a bipartisan letter to Congressional leaders urging them to close a loophole in current federal gun laws.

Click to read letter

The bipartisan letter, co-sponsored by Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, includes support from a broad group of attorneys general from U.S. states and territories. The letter notes that bump stock devices – a plastic or metal piece attached to a firearm’s stock designed to increase the ability to fire like a fully automatic weapon – may be used to evade the machinegun laws that are currently in place.

It has been widely reported that the Las Vegas gunman, Stephen Paddock, modified otherwise lawful semi-automatic rifles with “bump stocks” to kill 58 innocent people and injure hundreds more. The attorneys general urge Congress to evaluate whether bump stocks should be regulated like machineguns in order to protect residents from the dangers posed by unrestricted fully automatic weapons.

Since 1986, when Congress enacted the Firearm Owners Protection Act to amend the Gun Control Act of 1968, fully automatic weapons and “machineguns” have been restricted, making it unlawful for civilians to possess a machinegun unless the firearm was acquired prior to the Act’s effective date.

According to the letter, bump stocks can “mimic fully automatic machinegun fire and therefore lead to disastrous consequences in the wrong hands.” The attorneys general also state that Congress “should carefully consider whether bump stocks have created a loophole in the machinegun laws” when considering any news laws.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), O‘ahu Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and the Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF), in conjunction with Community Planning & Engineering, Inc. (CPE) have begun road repairs to the Kamananui Valley Road in Moanalua Valley. Kamananui Valley Road and the popular Kulana‘ahane hiking trail will remain open during regular trail hours; however, some phases of the project will require periodic, full-valley closures.

DLNR Photo

Initial stages of construction began October 16, 2017. The project will end by October 31, 2018, and will repair and extend 11 major stream crossings. These repairs will improve safety for all valley users by redirecting water flow and mitigating erosion. Additional work will allow better access for service vehicles by leveling deeply rutted portions and removing large boulders.

The project, authorized during the Legislature Regular Sessions of 2013 and 2014, is a capital improvement project (CIP) which received a total of $1,650,000 in general obligation bond funds. Funding supported planning, design, and construction for the project and was approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. MGF entered a memorandum of understanding with DLNR to support portions of the project that take place in portions of Kamananui Valley located within the Moanalua portion of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve.

Safety notice

Public access will remain open for the duration of the project. However, users are advised to exercise caution when visiting Moanalua Valley. Construction will occur every weekday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. In this time, pedestrians will be asked to yield to all motorized traffic and heed warning signs that delineate high-risk areas. Families are also asked to closely supervise all children and family pets while on-trail. Noise, dust, and periodic delays may alter the expected user experience.

To ensure the best hiking experience, O‘ahu DOFAW encourages hikers to consider visiting the valley during non-construction hours or traveling to other State-sanctioned trails. Regular visitation to Kamananui Valley Road will resume after 3:30 pm on weekdays, till sunset, and during daylight hours on weekends. Full valley closures will be issued one month in advance by Oahu DOFAW.

Potential visitors to Moanalua Valley are encouraged to visit the Na Ala Hele, DOFAW Trail and Access website at: hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov for up-to-date project information and alternate routes. Hunting permits for Moanalua Valley will be issued on a case-by-case basis. For more hunting information, please contact the DOFAW offices at (808) 587-0166 or via email at dlnr@hawaii.gov

Hundreds of people came out to ʻImiloa’s 10th Annual Wayfinding Festival held on Sunday, Oct. 29, at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai’i.

This year’s theme was “Bringing Home Lessons” of the Worldwide Voyage and featured a panel discussion with crewmembers from the recently completed Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, along with wa‘a (canoe) activities themed around Hawai‘i’s iconic double-hulled sailing canoe, Hōkūleʻa.

Tools used in Wayfinding made by Kona resident Gary Eoff.

“‘Imiloa’s Wayfinding Festival is our way of honoring our deep sea voyaging ancestors who sailed across the open ocean using the light of the stars to guide them to new lands,” said ‘Imiloa’s Executive Director Ka‘iu Kimura, “And at the same time it is a chance to celebrate our modern day navigators who are transmitting celestial navigation skills into the next generation.”

Attendees learned about the historic 3-year journey of Hōkūleʻa, which traveled 42,000 nautical miles, visiting 150 ports in more than 20 countries, while training a new generation of navigators, educators, scientists and community stewards.

Voyaging Canoe “Kiakahi” out of Keaukaha, Hawaiʻi Island.

This year, the festival also reprised the popular Waʻa Iron Chef Contest. In addition to keiki activities, special wayfinding planetarium programming were held in the theaters and planetarium. The public also had full free access to ʻImiloa’s interactive exhibit hall.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources issued a statement on Friday, Oct. 28, in response to a Circuit Court ruling on aquarium fishing permits.

Yellow tang, one of the Hawaiian reef inhabitants most sought by aquarium fish collectors, will get greater protections under rules signed by the governor. Wikimedia Commons photo.

Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Crabtree ruled on Friday that, based upon a Hawaiʻi Supreme Court opinion issued on Sept. 6, 2017, existing permits for use of fine mesh nets to catch aquatic life for aquarium purposes are illegal and invalid. Judge Crabtree also ordered the DLNR not to issue any new permits pending environmental review.

In its statement on Friday, officials with the DLNR said the department continues to believe that existing aquarium fishing practices are sustainable and environmentally sound.

The department also expressed appreciation for local businesses and families that depend on the industry for their livelihoods, but said it respects Judge Crabtree’s ruling and will fully comply so long as it remains in effect.

Two Hawaii Air National Guard (HIANG) KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, and associated personnel returned to Hawaii today following a deployment to the Middle East, where they had supported Operation Inherent Resolve.

A third tanker and additional personnel are scheduled to return later this week. The KC-135 tankers and flight crews deployed six months ago to refuel U.S. and other coalition aircraft that are striking ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria. Deployment durations for individual Airmen ranged from more than two months to six months.

Aerial refueling is essential to U.S. air operations around the world. The refueling allows fighter jets and other aircraft to remain over the battlefield longer, which allows greater support to U.S. and coalition forces fighting on the ground. The HIANG is not releasing individual names of 203rd ARS personnel due to possible threats from ISIS and/or ISIS sympathizers.

The 203rd Air Refueling Squadron is one of three flying units within the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing, the largest and most complex wing in the entire Air National Guard. The Guard is tasked with being ready for war or any other operational contingency overseas and well as disaster response here at home.

Attorney General Doug Chin announced that inmate Alex Parks was charged today with assault in the second degree and harassment against adult corrections officers at the Women’s Community Correctional Center.

Click to read

Assault in the second degree is a class C felony and carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a $10,000.00 fine. Harassment is a petty-misdemeanor and carries a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail and a $1,000.00 fine.

Alex Parks is presumed innocent unless and until she is found guilty of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
A copy of the charging document is attached.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, Kona patrol officers received a report of a 33-year-old male who was assaulted by an unknown male individual near the intersection of Palani Road and Kuakini Highway.

After being assaulted, police say the male victim fell onto the public roadway where he struck a moving vehicle, causing minor injuries.

During the same time period, officers received a report of an affray which was occurring near an establishment in 74-5500 block of Pawai Place in the Old Kona Industrial area.

As officers were responding to the affray, a 29-year-old male victim reported that while in the parking lot of a business establishment in the 75-5600 block of Kuakini Highway, four male suspects approached the victim and demanded money from him.

Police say the suspects then entered the victim’s vehicle, removed items without permission, and left the area on foot, heading north on Pawai Place.

Responding officers were able to locate and arrest the four responsible males, identified as: Eddie Faafia, 32, of Hōnaunau, Donchevell Makekau, 20, Michael Johnson, 31, and Andrew Ollero-Heist, 20, all of Kailua-Kona.

The men were transported to the Kealakehe Police Station where they were held pending further investigation by Detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigation Section.

On Sunday, detectives charged Faafia, Makekau, Johnson, and Ollero-Heist with Robbery in the Second Degree. Faafia and Johnson were also charged with one count each of Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree and Faafia was also charged with one count of Assault in the Second Degree.

Faafia’s bail was set at $9,000, Johnson’s bail was set at $7,000, and Makekau’s and Ollero-Heist’s bail was set at $5,000 each.

All four men were held at the Kealakehe Police Station pending their initial court appearance this morning, Monday, Oct. 30, at the Kona District Court.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call police at the non-emergency number (808) 935-3311. Individuals may also contact Detective David Matsushima of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section via email at David.Matsushima@hawaiicounty.gov or
at (808) 326-4646 ext. 224.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID Service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Like:

A statewide campaign to commemorate a landmark anniversary for Hawaiian language education continued over the weekend by The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language.

Students helped design and create ten Living Legacy Murals, inspired by the mo‘olelo (story) of Kalapana.

“The Ke Kanakolu (The 30th) project was created by 808 Urban’s Living Legacy Series to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ka Papahana Kaiapuni – the Hawaiian Immersion Schools in Hawaiʻi,” said Kamalani Johnson, lecturer, KHʻUOK and the project’s Hawaiian Language Director. “The project’s goal is to use art as a medium to invigorate Native Hawaiian identity and perpetuate Hawaiian values, language and culture, while raising awareness of the 23 Hawaiian Language Immersion and Charter schools that form Ka Papahana Kaiapuni.”

Led by graffiti artist John Prime Hina, ʻĀuna Pāheona, a group of art-centric individuals, have been traveling the state since August. The group is engaging local artists and Hawaiian Immersion schools to design and create the murals, which are being painted one-by-one, culminating on May 25, 2018 in Hanapēpē, Kauaʻi.

The story of Kalapana involves his mother, Halepākī from Kauaʻi and his father, Kānepōiki from Kona, who dies when he loses a hoʻopāpā (battle of wits) challenge from Kaua‘i chief, Kalanialiʻiloa. When he matures, Kalapana travels to Kaua‘i and avenges Kānepōiki’s death by winning his hoʻopāpā challenge through his knowledge of the winds, rains, plants, songs, and ʻai (tools) that are unknown to Kalanialiʻiloa.

“This mo‘olelo was selected for the tenacity and drive of the protagonist,” Johnson said. “The strife Kalapana experiences with the loss of Kānepōiki, that leads to avenging the will of his father is comparable to Hawaiian language revitalization efforts.”

ʻĀuna Pāheona worked with Ke Kula ʻo ʻEhunuikaimalino to complete the first mural in Keauhou, Kona. They are now nearing completion of the second painting in Nānākuli on Oʻahu, working with Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Nānākuli. The first two installments focus on Kalapana learning hoʻopāpā with his mother, Halepākī, and aunt, Kalaoa.

The Hilo mural, located at 51 Makaʻala Street, will depict Kalapana unofficially putting his hoʻopāpā skills into play after completing his schooling with Kalaoa, then going to Kauaʻi where he encounters a local of the area.

Painting participants will include teachers, students and ʻohana from Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo, along with Hawaiian language students from KHʻUOK and the Hawaiian medium laboratory school Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu.

The Ka Papahana Kaiapuni celebration coincides with the 20th anniversary of KHʻUOK. Director Keiki Kawaiʻaeʻa says the murals commemorate the progress and revitalization efforts of the Hawaiian language through its Hawaiian medium-immersion educational pathway as Hawaiʻi prepares to mark next year’s 40th anniversary of ʻōlelo (language) Hawaiʻi as a state official language.

“KHʻUOK continues to support the renormalization of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi through various initiatives, including new Hawaiian lexicon, an on-line dictionary at wehewehe.org and Hawaiian medium curriculum for grades K-12 supported by the college’s Hale Kuamoʻo Hawaiian Language Center. Additional contributions include the preparation of Hawaiian medium-immersion teachers through the Kahuawaiola Indigenous Teacher Education program and Hawaiian medium laboratory schools such as Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu in Keaʻau,” Kawaiʻaeʻa said. “Through strong collaboration of P-12 and tertiary education working together with schools, families, government and community, Hawaiian language is showing a shift towards recovery of this precious cultural resource.”

“I could think of no better person than you to lead and organize a working group of like-minded individuals to create a Living Monument of World Peace on Mauna Kea. I trust you without any reservation and hesitation in this endeavor,” Gov. Ige wrote.

Mayor Kim accepted the task and responded to Gov. Ige’s call for action saying, “You are so right in your statement of honor and respect for the special gift of Mauna Kea and the people of Hawaiʻi (First Nation of Hawaiʻi). I thank you for your trust in me to carry out this very difficult task. As you are well aware, there is a complexity of pre-existent management responsibilities of leases, permits, funding sources, authorities and overlapping jurisdictions.”

He continued saying, “The decision to do this was uncomfortable simply because of the awareness of many people who are better suited for this important task.”

In a letter dated Oct. 26, 2017, Mayor Kim said he would pursue the effort, “with all the energy” he can possess and will reach out for wisdom and guidance. “This as you know, must be collective in nature and its success will be so dependent on people’s willingness to get together and listen to each other. This is such a worth mission as Mauna Kea and Hawaiʻi so rightfully deserve to be globally recognized as cultural and natural treasures.”

Gov. Ige explained the thought behind the monument saying, “This journey will test all of us and will go beyond the merging of culture, science, education, economics and the environment. On this journey, we must be mindful that we are able to call Hawaiʻi our home today because of the grace, mutual respect and aloha that were given to us as a gift by the People of Hawaiʻi’s First Nation,” said Gov. Ige.

“It will require unite and special people who can coordinate their own hearts and minds and lead us forward for the collective existence of Mauna Kea and all of us, with no obligation in return,” he said.

Gov. Ige said the he believed the collective efforts would positively change the trajectory of Hawaiʻi so present and future generations can choose to call Hawaiʻi home. “Therefore, I humbly ask you to lead us along this preferred path of peace for a better future,” he wrote, saying he will make himself, his staff and resources available to Mayor Kim to achieve this goal.

Mayor Kim responded saying, “A place on this earth as a symbol of diverse people living together peacefully and respectfully in harmony with nature. This of Hawaiʻi, and the people of the First Nation that grew out of a painful history of wrongs and today finds a cosmopolitan people remarkable tot he world. This treasured place of Hawaiʻi should be and can be a beacon of hope for peace in this world. This, I will work towards.”

Hilo-native and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong will make a homecoming appearance at Jamba Juice in the Prince Kuhio Plaza on Friday, Nov. 3.

Fans will have the opportunity to take pictures with the major leaguer and have autographs signed from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Attendees will also be able to try in-store samples and win many prizes including free Jamba Juice for a year, a free 15-pack smoothie pack and more.

Wong graduated from Kamehameha High School on Hawai‘i Island, and also attended and played ball for the UH Manoa Rainbow Warriors. He has been playing Major League baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals since 2013.

This past season Kolten batted .285, his highest batting average in the big leagues.

Also on hand will be The Beat FM 95.9 East Hawai‘i and 93.9 West Hawai‘i for a live broadcast.

Like:

The Hawaiʻi Island Police Department have arrested a Puna man in connection with a shooting incident.

Yesterday, Oct. 29 at 2:23 p.m., officers responded to a North Road residence in Mt. View for a report of a man who had been shot. The 24-year-old victim, who lives at the residence, was found in the yard with a gunshot wound to his head. A firearm was recovered at the scene. The victim was transported by ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center and later flown to O’ahu in critical condition.

Mahdi Hemmat. HPD Photo

At 2:45 p.m., 28-year-old Mahdi Hemmat, who also resides at that address, was arrested at the scene and taken to the Hilo cellblock while detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continue the investigation that has been classified as a second degree attempted murder.

Anyone who may have any other information about this incident it is asked to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Grant Todd of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2381 or Grant.Todd@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

This information was provided by the authorities. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.